Cost of Developing A Mobile App- A Complete Guidelines in 2024

August 31, 2023

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Cost of Developing A Mobile App- A Complete Guidelines

How much cost of developing a mobile application? This is the first question that hits anyone’s mind when planning to create a mobile app for their business. Well, the cost of mobile app depends on numerous factors. It would be best if you considered every factor to get the exact cost.

However, the average cost of developing a mobile app will go around $10,000-$50,000, which can increase even more for a customized complex mobile app. Many variables affect the cost of developing a bespoke mobile app, like the complexity of the app, its features and functionalities, the development process, and more.

Here, in this blog, we will help you get the answer to the cost of developing a mobile app development. Additionally, you will get in-depth insights into the contributing variables that affect app development costs, various app monetization models, the mobile app development process, and ways to save costs.

Stats Related To The Cost of Developing a Mobile App-

The demand and number of mobile apps are growing significantly. Customers prefer mobile apps more than ever before to get essential services. And that’s the reason most businesses would love to invest in the mobile app development industry. Here are some stats from reputable organizations that suggest developing a mobile app is a great startup idea.

In 2023, revenue from mobile apps is projected to reach over $935 billion.
You will find 1.96 million apps for download from the Apple App Store.
You will get 2.87 million apps for downloading in the Google Play Store.
Of Millennials, 21% open an app more than 50 times daily.
49% of users open an app 11 or more times each day.
Mobile apps account for 70% of all US digital media consumption.
The typical smartphone user utilizes 30 applications per month and 10 apps per day

Types of Apps and Their Average Costs of Developing a Mobile App-

The type of app you want to develop is an important factor. The cost of developing a mobile application changes according to the type of mobile app you want to develop. Let’s have a look:

Cost of Developing A Gaming App

The gaming app is one of the most well-liked categories in the App Store. These apps typically need excellent graphics and a tonne of functionality. Gaming apps can be straightforward, like Solitaire. Also, they can be complex, like PUBG.

With AR and VR technology, they are supposed to be even more complex.

The cost of developing gaming app ranges from $20,000 to $50,000, depending on the type you want to create.

Cost of Developing A Lifestyle App

Every user prefers different lifestyle apps that can assist them in keeping track of their daily activities, such as their food, what to dress, their exercise regimen, etc. The best thing about the lifestyle app is that there are no limitations in using them. Any age group can use them efficiently. That’s the reason they have a large audience.

A feature-rich and robust lifestyle cost of mobile app development will come around $10,000 and $30,000.

Cost of Developing An Education App

The cost of the education app development depends on the complexity of the app. If you create an educational app with basic features, the price will go around $10,000. However, if you require an education app with advanced features like communicating with tutors, the cost will be around $40,000.

Cost of Developing A Business App

The cost of developing a custom app for your business can range from $15,000 to $50,000. You must include user-friendliness, social integration, feedback and contact, offline features, and regular updates in your business app.

Cost of Developing A Utilities App

Do you want to create a robust voice translation or a reminder app? Utility apps are constantly in demand. The cost often ranges between $5,000 to $20,000.

Factors Affecting Cost the Cost of Developing a Mobile App-

Various factors affect cost for the cost of developing a mobile app. Here, you will find some of the top factors. Let’s have a look:

Mobile App Complexity –

A simple cost of app development around $5,000-$20,000. You will find basic features in the simple app, including registration, dashboard, profile editing, and many more.

A medium complex app will cost around $5,000- $40,000. You will find various features in the medium complex app that help in attracting users and earning money. These apps include features like social media integrations, payment gateway, user privacy, messaging, etc.

A complex app will cost around $10,000 to $80,000 and above. These apps include the latest technology, such as Blockchain, AI, and Machine learning. These apps have advanced features like multi-language support, audio or video streaming, and many more.

Here, we are presenting the cost of developing a mobile app on the basis of app complexity in the table:

Mobile App Complexity	Level of Complexity	Average Timeline	Average Cost
Simple app	● Minimum basic features ● Simple design	1-2 months	$5,000-$20,000
Medium Complex app	● Advanced features ● Custom design	3-6 months	$5,000- $40,000
Highly complex app	● Top level features ● Advanced design ● Two platforms	6-9 months	$10,000 to $80,000

App Features and Functionality

The features and functionalities you integrate into your application will significantly impact how much it costs to design an app. With the increasing number of features, the rate will be higher.

We advise you to integrate only essential features in the app’s initial version. Here let’s have a look on the table to check the time and cost of integrating a feature into the mobile app:

Features Of Mobile App	Function	Approximate Time	Average cost of Mobile App
User Login	● Registration with social media accounts ● Registration with mobile number or email address ● Sign out option	20-30hours	$300 – $700
Profile Completion	● Add personal details ● Add photo ● Add locatin	28-35 hours	$700-$900
Messaging	● Online/offline status ● Typing status ● Send media files and documents ● Read/sent status	140-160 hours	$2,000-$3,500
Push Notifications	● Push notifications and reminders for users	30-40 hours	$1,200 – $1,500
Basic admin panel: User management	● See list of users ● Delete/block user ● Create user ● Edit user	70-90 hours	$3,000-$4,000

App Design

The design you choose for your app also affects the cost of the mobile app development. You will find two options when deciding on designs for your app- Custom and Standard UI.

Customized UI is considered more expensive than standard UI.

Mobile App Design Process	Design Tasks	Average Development Time	Average Cost of Mobile App Design (Approx)
App design research	● Knowing market ● Knowing about the competition ● Market trend analysis ● Finalizing the best solutions	Based on niche and available resource	$80-$300
UX design	● Rough sketches ● Low fidelity wireframes ● High fidelity wireframes	● Simple- 10-14 hours ● Medium- 50-60 hours ● Complex- 150+ hours	$1500-$7500
UI design (visuals)	Mood boards UI mockup samples Final UI mockups	● Simple – 14-20 hours ● Medium- 80-90 hours ● Complex- 100+ hours	$8,000-$35,000
Branding	● Creating brand identity	Logos, icons and social media	$3,000-$15,000
Animations and illustrations	● Visualizing user and on-screen content ● Direct manipulation ● User action visualization	Based on level of animations	$800-$15,000

App Platforms

App platform is another factor that affects the cost of mobile app development. You can choose the app platform with your business requirements and target audience.

Here is the most popular app development platform:

Native Apps

Native apps are those apps that are designed for a specific operating system (for example, solely for iOS or only for Android). Native apps are considered preferable among Native, Web, and Hybrid apps. Also, they are the most expensive ones too.

Developers need to design 2-3 native apps for each sort of device and platform.

Cross-Platform Apps

Cross-platform development is the newest, most cost-effective trend in the mobile app development market. The platform offers several advantages, including using a single code base and reduced development time. The platforms Flutter and React Native now dominate the cross-platform market.

Web Apps

Web apps are generally mobile websites. The best thing about web apps is that they can be accessible over data or the Internet. Also, they do not require downloading. They are typically less expensive than native apps because they do not need to be developed for numerous platforms.

Hybrid Apps

If you add Native apps with web apps, you will get Hybrid apps. Given the pressure to shorten the time-to-market to launch an app, several technologists can’t help but point towards hybrid app development. Hybrid app development means developers can use and implement a single code for various platforms to replicate the functionalities.

Type of App	Average Cost of Hybrid App Development
Native apps (Android & iOS)	$25,000 to $50,000
Cross-platform apps	$20,000 to $50,000
Web apps	$10,000 to $35,000
Hybrid apps	$8,000 to $120,000

App Maintenance

The cost of developing a mobile app doesn’t end with app deployment. You have to integrate new features according to the market’s trends.

Location of The Mobile App Development Company

The mobile app development company you choose for your mobile app also affects its cost. You will find various options for developing a mobile app for your business. Some of the top choices include- an experienced app development company, a local team, an in-house development team, or a freelance developer.

However, a mobile app development company can help you develop the best apps you want.

Let’s check how much different countries charge for creating the same mobile app:

Region	App Maintenace Cost
India	$10-30/hr
United States	$60-140/hr
Ukraine	$20-50/hr
Australia	$60-150/hr
Russia	$40-120/hr

You can see when you hire an app development service from India, the cost of developing a mobile app will be low.

Hidden Cost of Mobile App Development

Here are some additional factors that also affect the cost of developing a mobile app. Let’s have a look:

For any third-party integrations, you need to pay a amount. Some popular third-party integration include geolocation, push notification and many more.
Admin or management costs. For example, content manager salary.
Support and maintenance costs. You need to pay for updating your app and keeping it bug or error free.

Let’s look at the details. For example, it cost $50,000 to develop the app.

Depending on the number of integrations, they can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 per year.
Maintaining the application would cost 20% per year of the original development cost, i.e. $10,000
App marketing would cost 50%-100% per year of the original development cost, i.e. $50,000-$100,000.

How Can You Minimize the Cost of Mobile App Development?

Fortunately, we have various ways that can lower the cost of developing a mobile app. You can minimize your budget by adhering to some best practices and using a few practical techniques.

This section will focus on how businesses can minimize the cost of develping a mobile app.

Pen Down Your Requirements

Before analyzing a mobile app development company, the most important tip is to note down precise and in-detail requirements about your app development and then make a document for it. Writing a detailed record will help you and your developers understand the essentials well and save time and effort for both parties. If you do not prepare a requirement document, it will create future confusion and lead to numerous changes in the app that will increase the overall cost of developing a mobile app.

Consider Outsourcing

If you want to save money in the long run, choose Outsource service rather than in-house. Outsourcing offers various options to choose from.

According to some sources, it is proved that developing an app from in-house will cost you around $10,000 to $50,000. But, outsourcing mobile app development can cost you only $5000 to $20,000.

MVP (Minimum Viable Product)

A minimum Viable Product is a prototype that contains all the essential features and functionality with the design architecture. With the help of MVP, you can test your app to see its impression and response on real users. And once you get sure about your app; then you can also add some advanced features to it.

Communicate With The Development Team.

It is necessary to have a supervisor who can manage and superintend the entire app development process. But, it is also vital to check the results of every development by yourself so that you can observe keenly, and if you find any bug, you can rectify it at that very time. If you communicate regularly with the development team, then it will reduce the overall cost of developing a mobile app.

Best Mobile App Monetization Strategies For Your Business

You must be interested in learning your business’s finest mobile app monetization tactics to estimate how much it will cost to develop an eCommerce mobile app. The following are some of the best ways to make money:

Business Monetization Model

This is one of the best monetization strategies for those who want to use the app to sell products or services under their brands. To keep customers, you can offer your services with recurring monthly payments, annual subscriptions, or loyalty award points.

Joining Fees

Vendors are welcome to use your eCommerce app to sell their products. In exchange, they must pay a one-time or enrollment charge.

Subscription Fees

You can charge subscription fees to your consumers so they can benefit from things like same-day delivery, thrilling deals, and more.

Commission Fee

You can charge a commission fee on each transaction to allow customers and sellers to utilize your eCommerce app platform.

How Can Mobulous Help You With Estimating The Cost of Mobile App Development?

Well, it’s pretty obvious that there isn’t an exact answer for the mobile app development cost. You can estimate the cost of developing a mobile app by considering all the impacting aspects.

If you still think it will be challenging to determine the cost of developing a mobile app, you can contact a top mobile app development company like Mobulous.

Mobulous is a leading company with the best mobile app development team. We value and understand our customers’ needs by delivering high-end mobile apps. Our team ensures that you will get a mobile app development solution within your budget.,

FAQs – Costs of Mobile App Development

What is the cost of developing a mobile app?

We can’t exactly tell you the cost of developing a mobile app. Here is an average estimate:

Simple applications: $5,000–$20,000
Medium-complexity app development: $5,000-$40,000
Complex app development: $10,000 and $80,000 or more.

What factors affect the overall costs of developing a mobile app?

The complexity of the app, its features, and functionalities, design and animation, the use of reusable code, the location of your development team, etc., impact the cost of developing a mobile app.

How long does it take to create a mobile app?

Depending on the complexity of the app of your project, app development might take anywhere from 3 to 6 months on average.

How much does it cost to keep an app updated?

Your app maintenance expenses within the first year after launch may equal 50% of your app development budget. Your annual budget for app maintenance can eventually range from 15% to 20% of the purchase price.